East Bengal rue missed chances in 3-2 defeat by Al-Shorta

East Bengal FC surrendered a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 to Iraqi side Al-Shorta at Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday in their second Group-D outing of the AFC Champions League Two. David Hmar scored both goals for the hosts but Al-Shorta recovered to take the win.

David opened the scoring in the seventh minute after shielding an Al-Shorta defender to meet Hardik Bhatt’s centre and turn sharply to finish. Al-Shorta drew level in the 14th minute when Ahmed Yahya headed in from a corner. Despite enjoying less possession, East Bengal registered 10 shots with seven on target while Al-Shorta managed a single effort on target.

East Bengal regained the lead in the 41st minute when Jalal Hassan parried Daniel Ramirez’s free-kick; Basim Rashid recovered the ball near the goal line and back-heeled for David to finish from close range. David missed two further chances before half-time that might have completed a hat-trick. Those misses proved costly for the hosts.

Al-Shorta struck twice early in the second half, Hussein Al-Saedi equalising in the 51st minute. Two minutes later Kingsley Kuku headed home a corner delivered by Argentine substitute Cristian Barco to put the visitors ahead. The pair of goals came in quick succession and altered the course of the match.

Al-Shorta were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when Abdoul Magid received his second yellow card. East Bengal increased pressure in search of an equaliser. They could not break through the visitors’ disciplined defence.

East Bengal were left to rue missed opportunities and a costly second-half collapse. The result: East Bengal 2 (David Hmar 7, 41) lost to Al-Shorta 3 (Ahmed Yahya 14, Hussein Al-Saedi 51, Kingsley Kuku 53).